On June 12, the Honourable Robert Black, Senator for Ontario, rose in the Senate Chamber to speak to Bill S-230, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy for soil health protection, conservation and enhancement.

Tabled on June 10, 2025, by Senator Black, the National Strategy for Soil Health Act mandates the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, along with other relevant Ministers, to develop a national strategy to support and promote efforts across Canada to protect, conserve and enhance soil health, including a view of achieving resilient and healthy soils across Canada.

Bill S-230 reflects a number of recommendations set out in the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry’s (AGFO) report, Critical Ground: Why Soil is Essential to Canada’s Economic, Environmental, Human and Social Health, tabled in the Senate of Canada in June 2024. The National Strategy for Soil Health Act highlights the need for policy recommendations, analysis of the status of Canada’s soils, knowledge sharing, education and training in soil health, among other initiatives.  

The strategy contains recommendations for the appointment of a National Advocate for Soil Health, and the development of appropriate targets, timelines and the resources necessary to improve soil health protection, conservation and enhancement.

“Soil is a valuable natural resource, and the AGFO’s soil study recommendations must be actioned to protect the future of Canadian soils,” said Black. “The development of a national strategy will be one step closer to safeguarding this non-renewable resource. Once it is gone, it is gone.”

Bill S-230 also includes policy and legislative measures to recognize soil as a strategic national asset and as a resource that is essential to domestic and international food security.

“Healthy soils can help to mitigate climate change, boost the productivity of our agriculture sector, and aid in food sovereignty by providing healthy, nutritious and locally grown foods,” said Black. “This designation of soil as a vital and strategic national resource would recognize the diverse and prevalent role that it plays in the lives of Canadians.”

To review Black’s speech,  visit:  https://youtu.be/dY0AjP2_ix4


 

Source: Senator Robert Black June 13, 2025 news release